Police told the paper that the victim fled her Court Street apartment at about 2 a.m. Saturday after her boyfriend allegedly grabbed her by the throat and punched her in the chin. The pair had allegedly been fighting before he attacked her.

The victim said the boyfriend then grabbed the spare keys to her apartment, as well as her cell phone, before taking off. She went to the police station for help.

When investigators escorted her back to the apartment, they smelled smoke. That’s when police found a trash barrel placed on the stove with the burner on. It had sparked a small fire.

The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.

Police said they are looking for Peta Richarson, 34, in connection with the incident. Investigators told The Enterprise they are not sure if that is his real name or an alias.

The suspect is facing a long list of charges including assault and battery, assault to murder, witness intimidation, obstruction of justice, burning personal property, attempted arson, larceny and threatening to commit a crime.